The declaration, complete with a heavy sigh, pulled Tori from those disturbing thoughts. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
Sasha rolled her eyes and made no attempt to hide her frustration. “I said, give it to me.”
“Give what?”
“I know good and well you at least got a picture of him before sashaying across the country to meet him, so gimmee.”
She looked away, said nothing.
Her best friend held out her hand and snapped her fingers. “Hand it over, girl. I wanna see the man who could persuade my reasonably intelligent—“
“Reasonably intelligent?”
Sasha cocked her head to the side, one delicately arched brow raised.
“Point made.”
“As I was saying, persuade my reasonably intelligent best friend to hightail it to Montana in the dead of winter.” She wiggled her fingers and grinned. “I can’t wait to see him.”
Tori glanced at the outstretched hand and reached for her purse. She didn’t bother to glance at the photo as she passed it over; didn’t need to. Her mind’s eye provided a vivid picture. Wind-blown ebony hair, streaks of grey at the temples. Strong, defined cheekbones anchored by heavy brows. Sky blue eyes framed by killer lashes. And his mouth. Oh God. What was it about his mouth that intrigued her so?
Full lips parted in a sexy smile that lit up his face and made her breath catch. She gave herself a mental shake and tried to focus on the task at hand. “His sister sent it. He’s the one on the left. The other one is his late brother, Isaac.”
“Holy-moly girlfriend! No wonder you can’t wait to go. Talk about your tall, dark and handsome. He’s what…six feet at least; bedroom eyes if ever I saw ‘em, come hither smile…daaa-yum! I bet he’s got a killer ass, too.”
“Sassy!” Tori reached for the picture but her friend moved away, still studying it.
“What did you say his name is?”
“Wade McBride.”
“Well, Mr. Wade McBride, you are one delicious lookin’ cowboy.” She made a show of fanning herself with the picture. “And I’d be on ‘at puppy like mornin’ glory on a fencepost.”
Her face grew warm and she shook her head. Sasha had a one track mind of late and did her best to get Tori on the same track.
“Damn. Damn. Damn!” She handed the picture back. “Sure you don’t want me to come along? You’re a bit out of practice you know, and he may be more than you can handle alone.”
“It’s nothing like that and you know it. It’s a job.”
“Yeah, well, it should be.” She rummaged through the contents of a dresser drawer and tossed a filmy nightgown at Tori. “Better take this along. Winter or not you’ll want it ‘fore this is over.”
“Good grief! Is sex all you think about?” She tossed the garment back to her and pulled out a pair of sweat pants.
“Hell yeah when I see a Timex man.”
Tori ducked her head and sighed. “I know I will regret this, but…a Timex man?”
Sasha giggled. “Think a can of RediWhip topping, some chocolate syrup…a strategically placed cherry.” She paused for effect. “And see if ‘at cowboy can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.”
Her face flamed as an image of McBride lathered in whipped topping and chocolate syrup formed. “Oh my God, Sasha! Where on earth do you come up with this stuff?” She extended her arm, palm up. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“Trust me…one day you’ll thank me.”
“No. I won’t. Besides, he has a lot on his plate with his sister and mother both ill and the ranch. He needs a nurse, not a lover.”
“Says who?”
“Sassy, please.”
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; you were too good for Eddie.” She waved her hand back and forth to silence Tori’s rebuke. “I know, I know, it’s wrong to speak ill of the dead. He was a good cop, a decent father, but a crummy, cheating husband.”
Tori sat on the edge of the bed and said nothing as her friend continued. “You’ve got the kindest heart of anyone I’ve ever known.” Sassy joined her on the bed, her smile reflective. ”I guess that explains why you put up with me all these years. And you have a capacity for caring I truly envy. It’s why you are such an awesome nurse. Well, that and the reasonably intelligent thing.”
Tori snorted. Sassy would never change. Thank God.
“I know you loved Eddie. I never understood why, but I know you did. But he’s gone, Tori. You need to let him go and love again.”
“I…I don’t know if I can. Every time I think about moving on, of getting involved with someone, I feel guilty. Like I’m…betraying him. I know it sounds silly to you but it’s how I feel.”
Sasha slid an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “I don’t think it sounds silly at all. He was your husband and you loved him. But he’s gone.” She blew out a breath. “You’re my best friend in the whole world. I want you to be happy. I want to see your eyes smile again.”
“I know you do. And I appreciate that.” She leaned her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m not interested in a relationship right now.” She sighed. “I don’t think I even remember how to kiss anymore so a relationship is out of the question.”
Sasha looked at the picture and grinned. “Wanna bet? Besides, kissing is like riding a bike, once you do it, you don’t forget how.” She giggled. “And if you did, I’m bettin’ this cowboy is one hell of a teacher.”
* * *
Tori placed the last bag on the cart by the door and called for a taxi. She stood in the middle of her living room, staring at the expensive set of matching luggage she’d splurged on, mentally checking off her preparations. Her rent was paid up for six months and the mail forwarded to her parents who would take care of any bills. Her friend had a key to the apartment and would keep an eye on things while she was gone.
